Flush with success, dancers crave competition

Creative class finished well at International Dance Challenge.

Creative class finished well at International Dance Challenge.

May 23, 2006|JENNIFER OCHSTEIN Tribune Correspondent

SOUTH BEND They didn't start dancing to compete. But now that they got a taste of it and enjoyed some unlikely success, there could be more competition in their future. Some 15 women jazz and tap-danced in the International Dance Challenge in Ann Arbor, Mich., earlier this year. Out of 108 groups in the senior division -- dancers 13 years and older -- the local women, who dance weekly together at Creative DanceN' in South Bend, were among the top six in entertainment value. Not too shabby for a group of women who range in age from their mid-20s to over 50. They were proud of the fact that they were getting standing ovations at their first-ever dance competition from the crowd and high-fives from teenagers. The women got into dancing for different reasons. Cindy Sharmach, of Granger, said she started dancing to relax. "It's a great stress reliever," Sharmach said recently during one of their Thursday practice sessions. "I'm a nurse, which is pretty stressful, and it's stressful having teenagers." And Jennifer Rozmarynowski, of South Bend, said dancing is just something she always wanted to try. Same for Mary Haas. "My first class was my fortieth birthday present," Haas announced. And Thursday evenings are off limits to work, family and all other commitments, barring emergencies. That's when they get together to dance. "Thursdays are sacred," said Lori South, who owns Creative DanceN', 4622 S. Burnett Drive. Haas added, "This is our recess." While none of them are experts -- some have been dancing as few as nine months and others up to 10 years -- they now have a bug for competition, according to their instructor, Karen Pajor. "They're my divas," Pajor joked. Their success at the International Dance Challenge behind them, they're already gearing up for future competitions. They've started working on a new routine. While there are still some bugs that need to be worked out, you can tell they're having a ball. Erin Brewington, of Niles, said their first competition was a thrill. "It was exciting because they loved us," she announced. And it took their dancing up a notch from just practicing once each week for fun to wanting to perfect themselves for competitions. Vicki Gnoth, of South Bend, said the appreciation of the judges and crowd was validation for all their hard work. Rozmarynowski added that they've done recitals in front of friends and family, whom they suspect of clapping just because they want to be supportive. But when judges -- people who know what to look for when judging dancers -- give you thumbs up for your work, it makes it feel as if you've really accomplished something. "Besides the birth of my daughter, it was the greatest day of my life," Rozmarynowski said of the dance competition. And Haas also attributed their success to Pajor, who not only teaches them but also comes up with their choreography. On top of that, Pajor has taken on adult students, which seems rare, and takes the ladies seriously when she's teaching them. But Pajor said their success is due more to themselves. "They come in every week and work so hard," Pajor said. "They're very dedicated." And they're all appreciative of each other, too. Pajor said they all work together, encourage and help each other. Sharmach said the camaraderie keeps bringing her back to class. "It's nice to be with other women and get along," Sharmach said. Next stop? They say that national competitions are not out of the question. And Pajor says when they're ready, she'll take them. Pajor said she cried while watching her class at the competition. "I was so proud, because they did something they didn't think they could do," Pajor said.